Objective To get information in the knowledge level about the disease among lung cancer patients in order to offer data for improving the subject matters of health education. Methods One hundred and eight lung cancer patients were surveyed by using self-designed assessment questionnaires about lung cancer knowledge. Results 52. 78% of the patients investigated were well-informed in terms of the general knowledge of the disease. They got higher grades in such knowledge as the risk factors of the disease, surgical treatment, symptoms and early diagnosis. But they were poorly-informed about the continuous treatment, postoperative problems and their management and rehabilitation care. The factors that have influence on patients' gaining the knowledge included educational background and ways of payment for medical services, with the differences being statistically significant (P0. 05). Conclusion Specialty nurses should help the patients to be better informed about their disease on individual basis by providing knowledge they lack.